Cradle Stakes, once one of the top races in Ohio but inactive for over a decade, will have a revival this summer at Belterra . ParkRiver Downs before.
The junior two-turn race, which ran on grass from 2007-10 and is scheduled for that surface this year, will be renewed on September 2. The 1/16-mile race carries $125,000 wallet and share Friday card with $75,000 Bassinet 2 year old bet, another 1/16 mile grass race.
Inaugurated in 1977 at River Downs with over 30 years of sponsorship by Miller Genuine Draft, the Cradle has become popular with riders and the general public, with fans looking to collect beer mug gifts to promote promote the race, recalls Ed Meyer, race broadcaster Belterra Park.
“They’re collectibles. You can’t touch them,” said Meyer, who worked with journalist John Engelhardt during the final years of the River Downs.
Under the rider’s contract established with ownership of the new track, Cradle and Bassinet went on hiatus after 2010 in an effort to maintain a daily purse.
Meyer credits race secretary Bill Couch and others for taking home the Cradle, a race that Spend a Buck memorably won in 1984 before catching the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 1985 in campaign Horse -of the-Year his.
Other notable Cradle winners include Peaks and Valleys, Harlan’s Vacation, and Bellamy Road.
Among racing coaches and players, Bill Mott, D. Wayne Lukas and Pat Day were the winners of the Cradle.
